Perhaps I'm just showing how "old" and fuddy duddy I'm getting (by using colloquialisms like fuddy duddy), but lately, that is, in mid-2009, I am starting to hear fascinating rumours that among the devices that are being made obsolete by the modern, multi-function mobile phone (and to be sure, there are many) is the good ol' wristwatch. There is even a website where people can donate their old, no longer used wristwatches to be part of a 1000 watch museum display http://www.moskowarchitects.com/TKWP/index.html. They claim that people under age 25 in increasing numbers are eschewing the wristwatch for just the clock on their mobile phone devices. I'm not sure if I believe it, yet. To me, this is tantamount to proclaiming that the pocket watch is making a coming back. Yes, I understand that the pocket watch, belt watch, pendant watch, brooch watch, clip-on watch never really completely went away (there is always some small niche market for them). I recall how ring watches briefly made a comeback and then went away again in the 90s.
There is a pragmatic part of me that fundamentally believes that (aside from a HUD) the human forearm, the wrist, the back of the hand and perhaps even the back of the fingers or maybe, just maybe the top of the breast, are the only practical places where an ergonomic, "hands free" display can be placed, and hence for a certain segment of the population that need to or want to measure the passage of time quickly and conveniently, there will always be a need for a logical, hands-free way to just glance down and know what time it is (using just one arm or no hands). In the battle between style (whipping out your Blackberry everytime you need to know what time it is) vs. ergonomics, ergonomics usually wins.
There is a pragmatic part of me that fundamentally believes that (aside from a HUD) the human forearm, the wrist, the back of the hand and perhaps even the back of the fingers or maybe, just maybe the top of the breast, are the only practical places where an ergonomic, "hands free" display can be placed, and hence for a certain segment of the population that need to or want to measure the passage of time quickly and conveniently, there will always be a need for a logical, hands-free way to just glance down and know what time it is (using just one arm or no hands). In the battle between style (whipping out your Blackberry everytime you need to know what time it is) vs. ergonomics, ergonomics usually wins.
In fact, I'm no futurist, but if you ask me, I'd say that in the future, the very opposite trend may be true. That there will be increased numbers of practical everyday devices that will someday be attached to a convenient, ergonomic wrist controller device, like maybe all of those current iPhone functions and apps (games, internet, information, music), audio and video communications, camera of course, GPS, a true "universal" remote for controlling your house and car, a health-monitoring system, a universal "distress" beacon, a bio-metrically secure electronic payment/banking device, and of course.... a clock all on your wrist. I've already seen people attaching their mobile internet device to armbands. It's just a short evolutionary step away from the ergonomic wrist "holster" (with removeable, launderable, sweat wicking cushioning pads).
I think that people with any timepiece that requires both hands to operate are missing out on the whole innovation of "hands free" timekeeping we perfected in the 20th century. So as the robot-police drag me off to get "renewed", I for one will go kicking and screaming well into the 21st century with a wristwatch on my arm. "Solyent Green is people!"
I think that people with any timepiece that requires both hands to operate are missing out on the whole innovation of "hands free" timekeeping we perfected in the 20th century. So as the robot-police drag me off to get "renewed", I for one will go kicking and screaming well into the 21st century with a wristwatch on my arm. "Solyent Green is people!"
I've had a tumultuous relationship with wristwatches to say the least. I've owned and still do own many, but I tend to destroy them, literally destroy them. I don't know why I am so particularly hard on watches. I crack crystals, scratch bodies, cause buttons to stick or malfunction, break waterproof seals, lose pins and screws, snap watchbands of every sort, and literally erode plastic watches away until the micro-thin walls collapse. I love watches and have received many really nice ones as gifts, but I have not yet truly found a watch that can survive me (and the abuse that I give it).
Although I don't want to go too far off topic, I should mention, I am exactly the same with sunglasses. When I invest in pricey, cool shades (Vuarnets, Gargoyles, Ray-Bans) I inevitably lose them, crush them by sitting on them, forget them in a restaurant, scratch them by dropping them, or (get this) worry or fret about them so much that I actually don't wear them. I'd leave them in their protective case when I actually need them but am doing some rough activity where they might get lost or damage. How illogical is that? You don't wear your $200 Serengetis, and wear a sufficient, cheapo $10 pair, when you go out to play and need them the most. Isn't the equipment supposed to protect you, or vice versa?I eventually came around to the theory that (unless I get a huge inheritance and start living in stately Wayne Manor) it's just far better and more cost effective to buy decent, practical watches and sunglasses (and forget about the "hot" namebrands).
Although I don't want to go too far off topic, I should mention, I am exactly the same with sunglasses. When I invest in pricey, cool shades (Vuarnets, Gargoyles, Ray-Bans) I inevitably lose them, crush them by sitting on them, forget them in a restaurant, scratch them by dropping them, or (get this) worry or fret about them so much that I actually don't wear them. I'd leave them in their protective case when I actually need them but am doing some rough activity where they might get lost or damage. How illogical is that? You don't wear your $200 Serengetis, and wear a sufficient, cheapo $10 pair, when you go out to play and need them the most. Isn't the equipment supposed to protect you, or vice versa?I eventually came around to the theory that (unless I get a huge inheritance and start living in stately Wayne Manor) it's just far better and more cost effective to buy decent, practical watches and sunglasses (and forget about the "hot" namebrands).
I require a watch to have a second hand (for medical response reasons), be fairly durable, certainly waterproof, and readable in the dark somehow. That's the mininum, and many watches will meet these criteria. I went through about 20 plastic Timex and Casio watches like this, most lasting less than a year. I had a graveyard of spare parts with which I would try to extend the service life of some of those Timex and Casio watches.
On top of those basic criteria, additional desireable features might be altimeter, thermometer, compass, stopwatch, alarm, and dual time (for convenient switching of time zones). Additionally, easily replaceable batteries is a big plus, a synthetic wrist strap (more on this later), and 24 hour "military" clock are preferred features.
I've tried ALL the various so-called "altimeter" watch brands that have ALL of the above features.... High Gear, Casio, Suunto, Timex, Dakota, LaCrosse... and for the money, I'd say the relatively "cheap" LaCrosse is the best of the lot (best value for decent function). All of those watch brands I mentioned make very similar versions of the altimeter watch, but most are priced in the $200 to $600 range. Well, I picked up a LaCrosse XG-55 for about 50 bucks, on sale, at a local telescope store. At that price, I really don't care how banged up my watch gets or if I left it unattended at the gym or rink. My LaCrosse is pretty beat up, scratched and faded now, but it's still functioning well, now into it's third battery replacement. For the cost of ONE bulky Suunto Wrist Computer with exactly the same functions, I could buy 5 to 10 of these LaCrosses and just toss them away when they're used up.
The synthetic watchband thing is a matter of practicality. Metal bands are heavy and uncomfortable (they pinch, and convect heat). Leather and cloth trap bacteria colonies from skin oils and sweat and eventually stink! that's why I prefer plain ol' cheapo plastic wrist bands which are easily washable.
More recently, I think I finally found a watch that may be durable enough for me. The Titanium High Gear Altis. It has all of those features that I required or desired, plus, it was mainly composed of titanium (the durable, lightweight, heat resistant, corrosion resistant, non-magnetic, hypo-allergenic wonder metal) and it had a very easy to replace battery system (user-changeable). So far it has performed very well though I've scratched up the casing a bit and dropped it a few times. Titanium composition usually means very expensive because it so hard to work with and is usually reserved for high performance appications, like inpenetrable armour, submarines, spacecraft and hyper-sonic jet aircraft. I was able to get this Titanium watch, post-Christmas, for a really great price (about $100).
On top of those basic criteria, additional desireable features might be altimeter, thermometer, compass, stopwatch, alarm, and dual time (for convenient switching of time zones). Additionally, easily replaceable batteries is a big plus, a synthetic wrist strap (more on this later), and 24 hour "military" clock are preferred features.
I've tried ALL the various so-called "altimeter" watch brands that have ALL of the above features.... High Gear, Casio, Suunto, Timex, Dakota, LaCrosse... and for the money, I'd say the relatively "cheap" LaCrosse is the best of the lot (best value for decent function). All of those watch brands I mentioned make very similar versions of the altimeter watch, but most are priced in the $200 to $600 range. Well, I picked up a LaCrosse XG-55 for about 50 bucks, on sale, at a local telescope store. At that price, I really don't care how banged up my watch gets or if I left it unattended at the gym or rink. My LaCrosse is pretty beat up, scratched and faded now, but it's still functioning well, now into it's third battery replacement. For the cost of ONE bulky Suunto Wrist Computer with exactly the same functions, I could buy 5 to 10 of these LaCrosses and just toss them away when they're used up.
The synthetic watchband thing is a matter of practicality. Metal bands are heavy and uncomfortable (they pinch, and convect heat). Leather and cloth trap bacteria colonies from skin oils and sweat and eventually stink! that's why I prefer plain ol' cheapo plastic wrist bands which are easily washable.
More recently, I think I finally found a watch that may be durable enough for me. The Titanium High Gear Altis. It has all of those features that I required or desired, plus, it was mainly composed of titanium (the durable, lightweight, heat resistant, corrosion resistant, non-magnetic, hypo-allergenic wonder metal) and it had a very easy to replace battery system (user-changeable). So far it has performed very well though I've scratched up the casing a bit and dropped it a few times. Titanium composition usually means very expensive because it so hard to work with and is usually reserved for high performance appications, like inpenetrable armour, submarines, spacecraft and hyper-sonic jet aircraft. I was able to get this Titanium watch, post-Christmas, for a really great price (about $100).
The watch itself works beautifully. I have to warn you, it is not for everyone. You have to have some tech-savvy, or at least be interested in the scads of information that this watch will throw at you on almost every screen (there are 6 screens with different displays). It comes with a good instruction booklet which is a necessary read if you want to use some of the advanced functions (like logging your skiing data, or predicting weather trends). My favourite instrument on it so far is the digital compass, which I found to be very accurate and practical. It features a great "digital" bezel that rotates in realtime. The thermometer is rendered inaccurate by body heat, but I find that if you take the reading and subract 14 degrees F from it, it gives the local air temperature (compensating for my body heat). I consider the user-changeable battery (easily opened battery compartment) a major improvement for a watch of this type. Yes, this class of watch will tend to burn through batteries pretty fast (less than a year life on the average), so I glad I don't have to go through all the trouble and expense of professional battery changes (with pressure tests to ensure the water resistant seal). The styling for the Titanium High Gear Altis is nice too. It looks "retro" (like an early LED watch), yet "modern" (clean, alien-technology lines and metal composition). It works well with a suit, or my field khakis.
Finally (on my wishlist), I'd like to put in a good word for the Omega Speedmaster Pro model 3573.50, which is one seriously rugged piece of equipment. To me this would be the ultimate watch if price were no object. I would rather have this watch than any Rolex, Breitling, Tag Heuer, Bulova, Longines, or any other model Omega, which are mostly status symbol jewelry. Check out this article about NASA's behind-the-scenes testing for a timepiece for the space programme.
To summarize, NASA engineers wanted to skip the time consuming open competition process for picking a wristwatch durable enough for the rigours of space (shock and g-forces, radiation exposure, extremes of heat hot and cold, pressure/vacuum, humidity and submersion in salt water) so they just went into Houston and bought multiple watches of the 10 most "premium" watch manufacturers in the world. For the next 2 years or so, they were torture tested for all of those criteria that I mentioned above. Well, the Swiss made Omega Speedmaster Pro was the only survivor of the tests. No other watch survived to complete the testing. To me, that's an amazing testament to it's durability. That's how the Omega Speedmaster Pro became the "official" watch of the US space programme through the Apollo missions. But there's more! Independantly, the Soviet space programme conducted a similar trial for watches, and came up with the same final result! To this day, even with all the advances in watch technology in the past 40 years, the astronauts can wear whatever watch they want, but the Omega Speedmaster Pro is still the only timepiece authorized by NASA for EVA (spacewalks outside the shuttle or space station). I'd say that's about as glowing an endorsement for a product as you can get.
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