Cars and Wristwatches - Page 6 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Robert W. Roe · #76 04-03-2003, 01:07 AM

Flash, $50 for a new watch battery? Wow, I've bought car batteries for that much $$. Just wanted to pass along something, if you have a Kay Jeweler's near you, they offer "guaranteed" batteries, which means that when the battery dies they will replace it. I think the options are no guarantee, 5 and 10 years. It seemed reasonable at the time, but I'm not one to keep a receipt filed for 10 years...

need2speed · #77 04-03-2003, 10:21 AM

Believe me, I'm the last one to defend the outrageous service prices for some watch brands (as if MB stealerships had a monopoly on gouging

)

But...a trained and certified watch technician does alot more when they change the battery than your department store clerk! They also change the waterproofing seals, pressure test the case to ensure the seal, inspect the movement and often clean and polish the case and crystal. Thats what you should get for your fifty bucks - not just a battery.

Now I know Rolex recommends a full service every four years, which is quite expensive. But honestly, this is unnecessary for most. Watches that spend more time on the dresser than the wrist can be left alone until their timing starts to deteriorate, IMHO.

omegabenz · #78 04-03-2003, 10:54 AM

My dads rolex is 30 years old, and its starting to need cleaning. Ben Bridge wanted 800 USD and six months just to look at it. He said, I am going to let it break, then send it to rolex myself. You could buy 40 timex watches for that much.

Gilly · #79 12-09-2003, 08:54 PM

Well, this is the newest "watch" thread I could find. There are several good watch threads here, lots of opinions all over the board.

I'm looking at probably getting a GOOD watch later this year for a wedding anniversary present.

My wife knows I've wanted an Omega Speedmaster Professional for years. That's initially what I thought I wanted, maybe that's what it'll be. Just wanted a few opinions. Problem? Yeah. Of course it's a manual-wind. The watch more than likely won't be a daily-wear item for me. Maybe it should be, I dunno. I just like the looks, heritage (read: space program affilition) and quality of the Speed Pro. If I don't wind it every day or two and it "runs out" and I have to wind and reset it, no big deal I guess. There are a few options I'm considering though. First, I'm planning on either just the "original" Professional with the type of crystal NASA specified (not sapphire, I think it's called "Hesalite"). I understand the Hesalite isn't as scratch-resistant as sapphire, although the Hesalite CAN be polished out, which pretty much I hear is untrue of sapphire. One other option is you can order a Speed Pro with a sapphire crystal, including a sapphire display back, so you can see the mechanism, any thoughts on this option.
One final option I am "sorta" considering, is the X33. It'd definitely appeal to me in that it's a quartz watch (shuddder!), but MAN THAT much money for a quartz? I'd definitely want the Titanium on Titanium (Same with the Speed Pro---steel on steel all the way). I hear the Titanium on Titanium is SUPER light, and the watch definitely has alot of eye appeal.
I'm more leaning towards the Speed Pro, just the basic model, and just retaining "beater" quartz watches for daily use.

Any comments from the "good watch" clan here?

Gilly

PS This won't be for several months yet, no big rush

omegabenz · #80 12-09-2003, 09:08 PM

Speedy will be my next watch for sure. I have the omega seamaster professional.

My friend has the speedmaster titanium and gold. It is very pretty and very light, but titanium scratches really easily, and it shows the scratches.

I wear my watch on my right hand, and I write everyday, so its really scratched on the bottom. The sapphire crystal is a must, I thought I have broken it a few times, but it's holding up very well and to my suprise, no scratches it. I wear it all the time except to bed and in the shower.

The Speedmaster GMT is a very nice looking watch too. Also your wrist size has a lot to do on what watch you should wear. I have a full size watch. Maybe you have a big enough wrist to also, but I dont know.

Dont buy a quartz watch, half the fun is dealing with a watch that looses time.

try www.timezone.com it's a watch forum, and also www.omega-addict.com RJ is a really nice guy with lots of good info.

If you are surely getting an omega, look into RJ's site.

Gilly · #81 12-09-2003, 09:59 PM

OK, thanks much Austin, I'll look at those sites.

Gilly

ke6dcj · #82 12-09-2003, 10:10 PM

Although it's nice to see the movement, unless it's an in-house movement (pre-1980's, except for the Lemania movement in the 1045), IMHO, it's usually not worth displaying.

Check out: http://www.tic-tock.com for both current and vintage SpeedMasters.

Here's an excerpt from: "Omega Designs" by Anton Kreuzer:

From 1957 on Omega sold the Wristwatch Chronograph Caliber 321 under the name Speedmaster. This watch with manual winding was sold in the United States, where, unknown to the company, the United States Aerospace Agency NASA had purchased the watch along with nine other models and makers, and submitted it to rather strict tests. The best watch was supposed to be the one used by the astronauts. Omega achieved unbelievable results and in 1965 was chosen as the astronaut watch. From 1966 on it received the surname "Professional". From then on every astronaut was wearing this precision watch into space. The Speedmaster Professional was part of 50 space missions, including 6 moon landings from the Gemini space flights, the Apollo and Skylab programs, to the recent space shuttles. Neil Armstrong was also part of a Apollo-Sojous Meeting between Americans and Russians in space on July 17, 1975. On April 17, 1970, when the Apollo XIII mission had to be cancelled under dramatic circumstances, the Omega Speedmaster Professional allowed the crew a safe return to earth. After the failure of all board instruments, the astronauts had to use their chronograph wristwatches to calculate the exact moment of ignition for their engines to return to earth. The Bielere company has received the Snoopy Award, the highest award given by NASA.

From 1968 on, the "Moon watch" was no longer offered with Caliber 321, but with Caliber 861 instead. It had a chronograph mechanism with a newly developed, very sturdy control lever mechanism in the Landeron style (without column wheel). The movement had a glucydur balance, eccentric fine regulation, and had a higher frequency of oscillations (21.6K vs. 18.0K previously).

In 1968, a Speedmaster Professional in stainless steel case with screwed back was part of the Plaisted-North Pole expedition. The watch was a reliable companion for the expedition members for 44-days, despite temperatures as low as minus 52-degrees Celsius. In 1978, NASA launched a competition for a new astronaut watch to be used in its space shuttle program to be started in 1981. No less than 30 makers competed. Omega submitted its already tested Mechnanical chronograph with manual wind and won the competiton- the Omega Speedmaster Professional continued to be the Space watch. The tested watches had to sustain temperature changes from minus 18-degress to plus 93 degrees celsius. They were kept in vacuum chambers for days and dropped to 15-meters under water. They were accelerated to 16-times the gravitation of the earth, and exposed to vibrations of 6-2000 Hz, and shocks of 40 times the gravitation. The watches were also ted for corrosion resistance in a pure oxygen enviroment.

This renewed "flight qualified" honor was taken as an incentive to launch a limited number edition of this exceptional watch in an 18K gold case with the inscription "Apollo XI-first watch worn on the moon." A sapphire crystal back alloed for the viewing of the movement. When the renowned Munich watch dealer Huber celebrated its 125th anniversary, the only chronograph wristwatch offered in the anniversary catalog was the Omega Speedmaster Professional of limited edition. The watch was offered for DM 19.500 in yellow gold, and DM 23.000 in white gold.

More to come . . .

:-) neil

need2speed · #83 12-09-2003, 10:36 PM

Oh boy Gilly, you had to bring up the Omega Speedmaster :p

I've owned two of the automatic versions - at 38mm they fit my smaller wrist better than the manual wind Pro at 41mm. My current Speedmaster is 18k with dark blue dial and strap - simply stunning!

Recognizing a good thing when they have one, Omega has more versions of the classic Speedmaster case design than ever, including an automatic chronometer-rated version with their newly designed co-axial escapement movement.

I'd encourage you to look at their two new moonphase dials, the black dial version with display back and the white dial with 18k white gold bezel and solid back.

Of course, keep in mind that the Speedy's proudly bearing the "First Watch Worn On The Moon" inscription are later commemorative versions. Here is a picture of a real moon watch from the 60's (www.watchseller.com)....note the seamonster figure on the back :

Gilly · #84 12-09-2003, 10:38 PM

Quote:

. Neil Armstrong was also part of a Apollo-Sojous Meeting between Americans and Russians in space on July 17, 1975.

Not Hardly. Apollo 11 was Armstrongs last flight.
I believe Tom Stafford and I KNOW Deke Slayton were on the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP). Stafford is now a spokesman/Ambassador for Omega.

Gilly

omegabenz · #85 12-09-2003, 10:43 PM

If a watch maker makes its own movements, then it is called a "Manufaktur" by the watch community. I read it in the Robb Report around last Christmas.

Gilly · #86 12-09-2003, 10:55 PM

Dean:
Thanks for the comments.
The couple that I am considering are :

3570.50.00

This is as "real" as it gets. I am only really thinking along the lines of a new one. I know they are not 100% identical to the actual "moon watches", but they are somewhat improved I believe, in looks anyways (nicer bands, plus to be accurate the original ones the astronauts used had velcro bands to hold them outside the suits, and who needs that?). I am curious if the Hesalite crystal is OK for us earthlings. I believe that the Speedy Pro's said "First watch on the moon" on the back even before the Apollo program was done. I believe at one website (I think the Omega website, not 100% sure) they have the watch Alan Shepard wore on Apollo 14 (in their museum), and even IT had "First watch on the moon" on the back, so I would tend to disagree that the current versions, even though they say "First watch on the moon" on them, are really "Commemorative" editions. If that's true, they've been issuing commemorative editions for over 30 years. I do know that they HAVE issued some special editions to honor the individual moon flights, I just really like the clean looks of the regular Speedmaster Pro "Moon watch". The automatics don't do all that much for me, plus on an automatic, if I don't wear it daily I think they say you need one of those "winder boxes" to store it in so it stays wound. The moon phase watch I think really ruins the looks. Kinda like taking a CL500 and hanging fuzzy dice on the rear view mirror, IMHO.
Thanks for all the comments, appreciate hearing any and all opinions.

Gilly

Oh I forgot. The other manual Speed Pro I am looking at is:

3573.50.00, that's with the sapphire crystal instead of Heaslite, and a clear back. If I get the 3570.50.00, it has the "Seamonster" on the back, I don't think the clearback has the mascot.
There is also an apparently discontinued model 3572.50.00, which I believe is a Hesalite crystal and a sapphire clear back on it.

Hi-Power · #87 12-10-2003, 12:28 AM

This thread has been interesting for me from the beggining. Now when everybody is taking about the OMEGA Speedmaster I would like to recomend everybody to visit the website from a person that I know and respect a lot for his knowledge on OMEGA Chronographs and other interesting complication watches.

I am talking about Chuck Maddox and all the excellent articles about watches he has written and available for consultation at the following website:

http://home.xnet.com/~cmaddox/cm3articles.html

Should we start a thread about Speedys ?

omegabenz · #88 12-10-2003, 12:35 AM

Ernesto, I didnt know you knew of chuck. I learned so much from him about watches. Before I read mercedes forums, I read omega forums. I was going to mention his name when I mentioned the timezone forum above, but I forgot.

Speedys are so pimp. They can be dressy or sport, they are the best of both worlds. I would love to have a speedy. But how many watches can you own? Ive had my seamaster for three years now. I love it.

Hi-Power · #89 12-10-2003, 12:48 AM

Austin,

That is an excellent question that I will ask God ( I hope ) or the Devil the day I die

Actually it was the same question my wife asked me everytime I came home with a new chronograph... that was until she became interested on watches and started her own collection.

Yes, Chuck has been very helpful since I started collecting OMEGA and HEUER chronographs. It is really nice that a person like him is able to share all the information he has through his articles.

Does anybody in this forum here collects vintage Chronographs ?

Never enough watches...

omegabenz · #90 12-10-2003, 12:58 AM

That is really neat that your wife is collecting watches now too. What is hers/your favorite?

Tag Heuer watches are made in Austria, right? So they speak German there...Tag means day, but what does Heuer mean? I have always wondered.

www.leo.org suggest Heuer means
pay - for sailor die Heuer
this year heuer [süddt.] [österr.] [schweiz.]

österr.=Oesterreich is Austria in German.