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I absolutely love this. I think a lot of techie types might not realize what an engineering marvel a mechanical watch movement is. I'm sure you all realize the

I absolutely love this. I think a lot of techie types might not realize what an engineering marvel a mechanical watch movement is. I'm sure you all realize there are a lot of teeny tiny gears. But does the HN crowd realize there are 24 precious gems (lab-grown rubies and sapphires!!!!) inside the NH38 movement, serving as bearings and such? While the Apple Watch is in some ways orders of magnitude more advanced than a mechanical watch movement, in some ways the mechanical watch movement is more impressive. It could be argued that while the Apple Watch is the sum of roughly 100 years of electrical engineering, the mechanical watch is the sum of several thousands of years of mechanical engineering. It took mankind an incredible number of years to really master timekeeping to that level. (Not that the two are mutually exclusive. I find that the more I understand electronic timekeeping, the more I appreciate mechanical timekeeping, and vice-versa)

thom 3y ago
I grew to appreciate this watching the excellent videos on Wristwatch Revival: https://youtube.com/@WristwatchRevival https://youtube.com/@WristwatchRevival Which I only knew about through Marshall’s Magic: the Gathering links, but the watch stuff is surprisingly soothing.
Ecstatify 3y ago
Sundials emphasize our reliance on the sun as a source of light and energy. They remind us of the fundamental role the sun plays in sustaining life on Earth and providing us with light and warmth. This dependency gives sundials a sense of harmony with the natural world and instills a sense of wonder and appreciation for the celestial bodies. Mechanical watches are diamonds for men.
- reaperducer 3y ago
  Mechanical watches work at night.
- JoeJonathan 3y ago
  Cannot tell if this is satire
- teddyh 3y ago
  The gods confound the man who first found out how to distinguish hours! Confound him, too, who in this place set up a sundial, to cut and hack my days so wretchedly into small portions! — Plautus (c.254-184 BC) <https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30047352 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30047352>
fellerts 3y ago
Excellent points! I'd like to add that while your Apple watch might last you 5-10 years, a mechanical watch well looked-after can last several lifetimes. I'm currently daily-driving an automatic watch from the mid-60s that still somehow looks pristine and keeps excellent time (for a mechanical, that is). I expect this watch to outlive me.
- subhro 3y ago
  5-10 years... wishful thinking, that's all I am going to say.
  - ladberg 3y ago
    Is it? I have a nearly 5 year old Apple Watch (series 4) on my wrist and I've never had any issues with it. I'll probably replace it when a new watch comes out with a feature I really want (unlikely) or the battery stops lasting a full day, which might take a few more years as I don't even get close to running out unless I forget to charge it overnight.
- NanoRobotGeek 3y ago
  I kinda screwed it up taking it apart. Didnt have any oil to add back and rusted one of the gears a bit. Goal is still longer than 5 years and probably an easy 10-20
  - fellerts 3y ago
    I take it you didn't want to fall into the rabbit hole that is watch servicing, cleaning and lubrication? That's a deep and expensive one, especially for automatics... Might I suggest you reach out to Marshall @WristwatchRevival and ask if he wants to give it a proper service? I'm sure he'd be delighted by this project. Edit: you say "I glued the movement to the dial". That sounds like the dial will never come off, making servicing night impossible, or am I misunderstanding this? Also: "in a normal watch the dial would get sandwiched between the glass and the case somehow" no, typically there are holes drilled through the mainplate with screws that grab or hold the dial feet. The movement complete with dial and hands normally floats in the case, held in place with a couple screws.
subhro 3y ago
I wear an automatic Tag Heuer. I have been asked by many people why I still wear a mechanical watch. My answer is, battery powered watches (including smart watches and quartz movements) might have a life, but a mechanical watch ticking incessantly has a soul.
- amelius 3y ago
  Also: an Apple watch lacks elegance and is literally sexless.
  - bookofjoe 3y ago
    I demur. My 2017 38mm Series 3 w Hermès Sport band is a joy.
- JohnBooty 3y ago
  Yeah. A mechanical watch is almost like a companion. It only "lives" when you wear or wind it. It's only a few seconds of active "work" on your part per day but I find myself feeling kind of paternal toward them, or like I'm caring for a little mechanical pet buddy or something. Quartz watches and computers in general are also miracles to me, as well! But mechanical watches are their own special sort of miracle that I really appreciate.
tvrg 3y ago
> I think a lot of techie types might not realize what an engineering marvel a mechanical watch movement is. I'm sure you all realize there are a lot of teeny tiny gears. For those who want to learn more about it, this is an awesome interactive explanation of the functioning of mechanical watches: https://ciechanow.ski/mechanical-watch/ https://ciechanow.ski/mechanical-watch/
wjnc 3y ago
It is a tiny loss to my life that my mechanical watch lies in a cupboard while a Garmin brandishes my skin, but entertains my need for self-data. A measurement only ankle bracelet would be a perfect solution. Who cares about exact time when you have thousands of gears giving you a few seconds drift per day.
- hollander 3y ago
  Yeah I want the monitor, not the screen. Apple, Polar, Garmin, I don't care.
  - mtlmtlmtlmtl 3y ago
    You might be interested in the Oura ring then. I can't recommend it, because I haven't tried it. But sounds like the kind of thing you're talking about.
    - lvturner 3y ago
      I do exactly this. Very happy with the solution though I did get grandfathered in to their paid subscription (so I don’t pay it) Mechanical watches are a deep and expensive rabbit hole though.
      - JohnBooty 3y ago
        They certainly can be a deep and expensive thing, lol But it can also be very affordable! Can get a perfectly great mechanical for around $100! (Although, now that Seiko has abandoned that price level and prices on everything have gone up in general, $150-$200 is perhaps a more realistic starting point. Still a lot of "new old stock" Seikos at that $100ish price though if you look...) While I realize these dollar amounts are not affordable to everybody, I have noticed that many people who scoff at these prices happily spend hundreds or thousands per year on their hobbies and entertainment....
        ratboy666 3y ago
jansan 3y ago
I actually think that a digital watch with solar cell, multiband receiver and led backlight is a greater engineering marvel.
- mhandley 3y ago
  I really like my Casio LCW-M100TSE [1]. It's a (mostly) analog watch with a solar cell, radio receiver and led backlight. Keeps perfect time (radio sync), never needs charging, battery changing or winding, has a titanium case and titanium band so is incredible light but nearly indestructable, and looks good without being overly pretentious or a statement of wealth. And most importantly, doesn't interrupt me with notifications when I'm trying to concentrate. As watches go, I think it's as close to perfect as any watch I've had. Never would have thought that as I got older and wealthier, I'd end up back with Casio 40 years after having Casio watches as a teenager, but there you are. [1] https://www.casio-europe.com/euro/products/watches/radio-controlled/lcw-m100tse-1aer/ https://www.casio-europe.com/euro/products/watches/radio-con...
  - JohnBooty 3y ago
    Absolutely love that one. It is exactly my kind of watch... a sleeper gem. A true "if you know you know" watch. Everybody else sees an affordable Casio. But those who know, know.
  - jansan 3y ago
    I own this, too, and used it as my only watch until a few days ago. Then the titanium mod for my GW-M5610U-1ER arrived by mail. I am wearing this now, but I wish it was as light as the LCW-M100TSE (which is 70g vs. 100g of my new one). Since I prefer pure digital watches which I grew up with I will stick to the G-Shock with titanium mod. BTW, you forgot to mention that the LCW-M100TSE has a sapphire crystal, which is quite a unique feature in that price class. IMO it is the watch with the best value for the price.
- JohnBooty 3y ago
  Yeah! I've got a few of those as well. They are different kinds of marvels to me, and I deeply appreciate them! I'm a big G-Shock fan in particular. I am (among many other things!) a computing enthusiast, a quartz watch enthusiast, and a mechanical watch enthusiast. I find that appreciating each one of those things enhances my appreciation for the others.
deleted 3y ago
[deleted]
WillAdams 3y ago
Yeah, for folks who want to know more about watchmaking we had a customer make a complete watch, including movement: https://community.carbide3d.com/t/watchmaking-on-the-nomad/43259 https://community.carbide3d.com/t/watchmaking-on-the-nomad/4... and I found an animated overview: https://ciechanow.ski/mechanical-watch/ https://ciechanow.ski/mechanical-watch/
botverse 3y ago
Many maybe don’t, but also many of the techie types I know tinker with mechanical watches, bicycles, combustion engines, etc. And I think more than the average!

thom 3y ago

I grew to appreciate this watching the excellent videos on Wristwatch Revival: https://youtube.com/@WristwatchRevival https://youtube.com/@WristwatchRevival Which I only knew about through Marshall’s Magic: the Gathering links, but the watch stuff is surprisingly soothing.

Ecstatify 3y ago

Sundials emphasize our reliance on the sun as a source of light and energy. They remind us of the fundamental role the sun plays in sustaining life on Earth and providing us with light and warmth. This dependency gives sundials a sense of harmony with the natural world and instills a sense of wonder and appreciation for the celestial bodies. Mechanical watches are diamonds for men.

reaperducer 3y ago
Mechanical watches work at night.
JoeJonathan 3y ago
Cannot tell if this is satire
teddyh 3y ago
The gods confound the man who first found out how to distinguish hours! Confound him, too, who in this place set up a sundial, to cut and hack my days so wretchedly into small portions! — Plautus (c.254-184 BC) <https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30047352 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30047352>

fellerts 3y ago

Excellent points! I'd like to add that while your Apple watch might last you 5-10 years, a mechanical watch well looked-after can last several lifetimes. I'm currently daily-driving an automatic watch from the mid-60s that still somehow looks pristine and keeps excellent time (for a mechanical, that is). I expect this watch to outlive me.

subhro 3y ago
5-10 years... wishful thinking, that's all I am going to say.
- ladberg 3y ago
  Is it? I have a nearly 5 year old Apple Watch (series 4) on my wrist and I've never had any issues with it. I'll probably replace it when a new watch comes out with a feature I really want (unlikely) or the battery stops lasting a full day, which might take a few more years as I don't even get close to running out unless I forget to charge it overnight.
NanoRobotGeek 3y ago
I kinda screwed it up taking it apart. Didnt have any oil to add back and rusted one of the gears a bit. Goal is still longer than 5 years and probably an easy 10-20
- fellerts 3y ago
  I take it you didn't want to fall into the rabbit hole that is watch servicing, cleaning and lubrication? That's a deep and expensive one, especially for automatics... Might I suggest you reach out to Marshall @WristwatchRevival and ask if he wants to give it a proper service? I'm sure he'd be delighted by this project. Edit: you say "I glued the movement to the dial". That sounds like the dial will never come off, making servicing night impossible, or am I misunderstanding this? Also: "in a normal watch the dial would get sandwiched between the glass and the case somehow" no, typically there are holes drilled through the mainplate with screws that grab or hold the dial feet. The movement complete with dial and hands normally floats in the case, held in place with a couple screws.

subhro 3y ago

I wear an automatic Tag Heuer. I have been asked by many people why I still wear a mechanical watch. My answer is, battery powered watches (including smart watches and quartz movements) might have a life, but a mechanical watch ticking incessantly has a soul.

amelius 3y ago
Also: an Apple watch lacks elegance and is literally sexless.
- bookofjoe 3y ago
  I demur. My 2017 38mm Series 3 w Hermès Sport band is a joy.
JohnBooty 3y ago
Yeah. A mechanical watch is almost like a companion. It only "lives" when you wear or wind it. It's only a few seconds of active "work" on your part per day but I find myself feeling kind of paternal toward them, or like I'm caring for a little mechanical pet buddy or something. Quartz watches and computers in general are also miracles to me, as well! But mechanical watches are their own special sort of miracle that I really appreciate.

tvrg 3y ago

> I think a lot of techie types might not realize what an engineering marvel a mechanical watch movement is. I'm sure you all realize there are a lot of teeny tiny gears. For those who want to learn more about it, this is an awesome interactive explanation of the functioning of mechanical watches: https://ciechanow.ski/mechanical-watch/ https://ciechanow.ski/mechanical-watch/

wjnc 3y ago

It is a tiny loss to my life that my mechanical watch lies in a cupboard while a Garmin brandishes my skin, but entertains my need for self-data. A measurement only ankle bracelet would be a perfect solution. Who cares about exact time when you have thousands of gears giving you a few seconds drift per day.

hollander 3y ago
Yeah I want the monitor, not the screen. Apple, Polar, Garmin, I don't care.
- mtlmtlmtlmtl 3y ago
  You might be interested in the Oura ring then. I can't recommend it, because I haven't tried it. But sounds like the kind of thing you're talking about.
  - lvturner 3y ago
    I do exactly this. Very happy with the solution though I did get grandfathered in to their paid subscription (so I don’t pay it) Mechanical watches are a deep and expensive rabbit hole though.
    - JohnBooty 3y ago
      They certainly can be a deep and expensive thing, lol But it can also be very affordable! Can get a perfectly great mechanical for around $100! (Although, now that Seiko has abandoned that price level and prices on everything have gone up in general, $150-$200 is perhaps a more realistic starting point. Still a lot of "new old stock" Seikos at that $100ish price though if you look...) While I realize these dollar amounts are not affordable to everybody, I have noticed that many people who scoff at these prices happily spend hundreds or thousands per year on their hobbies and entertainment....
      - ratboy666 3y ago

jansan 3y ago

I actually think that a digital watch with solar cell, multiband receiver and led backlight is a greater engineering marvel.

mhandley 3y ago
I really like my Casio LCW-M100TSE [1]. It's a (mostly) analog watch with a solar cell, radio receiver and led backlight. Keeps perfect time (radio sync), never needs charging, battery changing or winding, has a titanium case and titanium band so is incredible light but nearly indestructable, and looks good without being overly pretentious or a statement of wealth. And most importantly, doesn't interrupt me with notifications when I'm trying to concentrate. As watches go, I think it's as close to perfect as any watch I've had. Never would have thought that as I got older and wealthier, I'd end up back with Casio 40 years after having Casio watches as a teenager, but there you are. [1] https://www.casio-europe.com/euro/products/watches/radio-controlled/lcw-m100tse-1aer/ https://www.casio-europe.com/euro/products/watches/radio-con...
- JohnBooty 3y ago
  Absolutely love that one. It is exactly my kind of watch... a sleeper gem. A true "if you know you know" watch. Everybody else sees an affordable Casio. But those who know, know.
- jansan 3y ago
  I own this, too, and used it as my only watch until a few days ago. Then the titanium mod for my GW-M5610U-1ER arrived by mail. I am wearing this now, but I wish it was as light as the LCW-M100TSE (which is 70g vs. 100g of my new one). Since I prefer pure digital watches which I grew up with I will stick to the G-Shock with titanium mod. BTW, you forgot to mention that the LCW-M100TSE has a sapphire crystal, which is quite a unique feature in that price class. IMO it is the watch with the best value for the price.
JohnBooty 3y ago
Yeah! I've got a few of those as well. They are different kinds of marvels to me, and I deeply appreciate them! I'm a big G-Shock fan in particular. I am (among many other things!) a computing enthusiast, a quartz watch enthusiast, and a mechanical watch enthusiast. I find that appreciating each one of those things enhances my appreciation for the others.

deleted 3y ago

[deleted]

WillAdams 3y ago

Yeah, for folks who want to know more about watchmaking we had a customer make a complete watch, including movement: https://community.carbide3d.com/t/watchmaking-on-the-nomad/43259 https://community.carbide3d.com/t/watchmaking-on-the-nomad/4... and I found an animated overview: https://ciechanow.ski/mechanical-watch/ https://ciechanow.ski/mechanical-watch/

botverse 3y ago

Many maybe don’t, but also many of the techie types I know tinker with mechanical watches, bicycles, combustion engines, etc. And I think more than the average!