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This sounds precisely like the mechanical vs quartz watch debate. The $50 Casio keeps better time, is more durable, and requires less maintenance than the $10k
by midiguy 3y ago
This sounds precisely like the mechanical vs quartz watch debate. The $50 Casio keeps better time, is more durable, and requires less maintenance than the $10k Rolex. Practically speaking, there is no debate to be had. But it won't stop people from being fascinated by the prospect of time being kept solely by the movement of highly precise little gears.
When it comes to fountain pens though, the practical concerns you brought up are not wrong but somewhat overstated, and to me a fountain pen honestly feels nicer to write with than a ballpoint, so it's not solely an aesthetic.
- falcolas 3y agoI love that you can get mechanical watches for between $50 an $100 now. They don't keep great time (loose/gain a few seconds a day), but there's something mesmerizing about watching that second hand sweep.
- midiguy 3y agoYeah, I got a Seiko 5 for under a hundred bucks awhile ago which was actually scary accurate. The only thing that irks me about cheap mechanicals is that the movement is essentially disposable like a battery, as it's way more expensive to service than replace. To me, this diminishes the mechanical cool factor a bit.
- falcolas 3y agoI agree, for under $100, they'll probably last under a year of solid use. And I agree that they're not generally worth getting serviced (though, if you want a new hobby...), the lack of good jewels on the pivot points will kill you. I swap mine out with some Citizen solar powered analog watches, and both of my mechanical ones are still going strong.
- SanjayMehta 3y agoI have several Seiko 5s, the oldest is around 20 years old. Never been opened. The trick is to use them in turn regularly. I also have an inherited Omega which is 60+ years old. This was serviced once when I got it, 25 years ago.
- 2-718-281-828 3y agojust slap $200 on your $100 watch budget and get a proper mechanical seiko. beats a rolex any time. why? because rolex is just an eta movement slapped in a rolex casing. a seiko is a seiko movement in a seiko casing. and such a seiko watch can be serviced in seiko stores which you'll find in many larger towns all around the world. even if you want to spend four digits on a watch - never a rolex. so many better options.