Who uses an automatic self winding watch?

[Nismo]

After using what I thought was a dive watch that in reality was a dive style watch, which flooded. I researched watches and decided on a St Moritz Aquamatic. I was curious how many on here used an automatic watch and what concerns there are in the routine maintenance and what I should avoid while wearing the watch. I know I have to wear it everyday or at least wind it a few times a week and that it won't be exactly accurate but close enough. I really like the idea of an automatic and may even buy a Seiko one as well to switch between.

 

[garyfotodiver]

I use a Seiko self-winding diver's wristwatch. I forget the model but I love it!

There is no routine maintenance for a good wristwatch. If it stops, get it overhauled. Just accept that it might gain or lose some time; I reset mine every 3-4 days. Diver's watches go back to the factory or authorised distributor for service. Gaskets & seals are replaced AND the atmosphere inside the case must be dry. Otherwise, condensation inside the crystal.

Gary the watchmaker's son.

 

[joystershell]

Hubby has an Invicta, and loves it. However, it does run fast. And, he is afraid to wear it diving, because he thinks that's how he lost his previous two watches.

 

[Nemrod]

You mean like these. I have a couple of others but these two brusiers are my favorites. I left a Moritz quartz watch on the bottom of the Gulf and a automatic Heuer--RIP.

N

 

[Matt S.]

I have a Seiko self-winding non-diver's watch which I love. It was $88 shipped, which is a deal for what you get. However, it's rated as splash proof only. Many people report they are fine for showering/swimming, though.

The diver models have much better seals and there's no reason that you can't, uh, dive with them.

The affordable Seiko self-winding mechanism runs about 20 sec/day fast when new, but supposedly can be less than 10 sec/day fast when broken in.

Personally I really like a mechanical watch, because little gears are NEAT. But they are not as accurate as quartz movements.

There are other ways to get self-powered watches... these are the ones that come to mind.

Citizen Eco-Drive: light charges a capacitor

Casio Solar: Same. You can get a self-powered G-shock that syncs to atomic time for about $100. Neat! It should also handle dive depths, though it doesn't have diver features.

Seiko Kinetic: Mechanical device charges a capacitor.

Some of the self-charging ones have really neat features, like a power reserve indicator, perpetual calendar, or sleep mode. (The watch stops moving the hands when power is low, and resyncs them when you wear it again. You could put it in a drawer for years and use it right away.)

I had good luck with this site: 21Jewels - Wide Selection of Sports and Fashion Watches

 

[Dannybot]

I have a Seiko diver's watch model 7s26-0029. I got it a few years prior to starting diving. It is a basic, but good watch. It does run fast if I do not wear in 12 hours a day. I got a winder for it, a little box that rocke the watch when you are not wearing it. It was a gift, otherwise I probably would just go without a watch. I wear it diving, the plastic band adjusts large enough to go over a wet suit. It does not corrode, and no batteries to replace, so I won't leak. But I did drop it once on terrazzo, bending the second hand, so it froze, but it was repaired under warranty.

All said, I like analog watches, it doesn't require battery replacements, but I would not own two, since they don't wind without wearing them. I also use a wrist mount computer on my other wrist when I dive.

 

[bvmjethead]

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ge...discussions/209878-dive-watch-i-like-one.html

 

[Matt S.]

It does not corrode, and no batteries to replace, so I won't leak. But I did drop it once on terrazzo, bending the second hand, so it froze, but it was repaired under warranty.

All said, I like analog watches, it doesn't require battery replacements, but I would not own two, since they don't wind without wearing them. I also use a wrist mount computer on my other wrist when I dive.

It can still leak at the crown--that's a hole into the guts, sealed with some kind of gasket or o-ring.

I wouldn't hesitate to own more than one self-winder. If it stops... a few moments of shaking will wind it enough to start, and then wearing it will keep it going. Resetting the time isn't so bad, IMHO.

 

[Mayor]

I have a few Breitling Automatic Chronometres. One is a B1 watch and is good for 100m but would never dive with it. The other is a Super Ocean that is good for 1500m. In my opinion it is top of the heap for dive watches.

It is true they will need service and should be looked at every two to three years. Most of the time you will notice it losing time or not holding time very long. This will also tell you to go in for service. A good watch should cost you $40 to $50 per year for service.

I found a guy who spent years working on vintage high end Chronometre and is top notch. He works on $20,000 units way out of my budget. One thing he said is a watch has a time line on it. If you use it everyday during the week and let it sit on a winder on the weekend you are using up time on the watch. If you do not use it for a few weeks you will get more time out of the watch. I run my dive watch most of the time and every month or so use my other one to lube it up buy using it. Stay away from winders.

Now this is also true with other autos as well even if they are not true chronometre. My wife has an auto Tag that started to lose time. It is now in for service.

www.breitling.com

 

[Hoosier]

Rolex.... Sea Dweller